3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) as an ecofriendly insecticidal agent against Spodoptera littoralis (boisd.)

ABSTRACT

A compound 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol), its synthesis, and its use as an insecticidal agent.

BACKGROUND 1. FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the compound 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol), its synthesis, and its use as an insecticidal agent.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

In light of the majority of difficulties caused by the use of pesticides and to lessen the impact of pesticide compounds, secure and unique selective organic components are required for development. Due to their clear mechanism of action on pests and lower poisonousness towards vertebrates than conventional insecticides, juvenile hormone analogs as an example of insect growth regulators appear promising. However, such new insect growth regulators are in their early stages of development and require further research and development.

Thus, new insecticides and/or pesticides solving the aforementioned problems are desired.

SUMMARY

The present subject matter relates to the synthesis of a unique pure insect growth regulator, as well as the regulator itself. The structure of this synthesized compound, which is related to the most well-known insect growth regulator insecticides, can be confirmed by elemental and contemporary spectroscopic investigations (IR, UV, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, and elemental analysis). The insecticidal efficacy of the chemically newly synthesized compound was checked against Spodoptera littoralis under laboratory conditions and compared with fenoxycarb as a reference insecticide. It has been found that the present compound has a LC₅₀=4.80 mg/l, whereas fenoxycarb has a LC₅₀=2.73 mg/l, indicating the insecticidal effectiveness of the present compound.

In an embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound having the formula I:

In another embodiment, the present subject matter relates to an insecticidally acceptable composition comprising an insecticidally effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound and an insecticidally acceptable carrier.

In a further embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of killing insects comprising applying to said insects or to a target site of insect infestation an insecticidally effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

In an additional embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of repelling insects comprising applying to a target site of insect infestation an insect repelling effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

In one more embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of controlling an insect pest comprising applying to a target site of insect infestation an insect controlling effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

In a further embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of making the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)prop an-2-ol) compound, the method comprising: treating 2-((2naphthyloxy)methyl)oxirane with hydrazine hydrate in a presence of triethylamine as a catalyst to obtain a crude product; and purifying the crude product by recrystallization using absolute ethyl alcohol to obtain the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

These and other features of the present subject matter will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The sole Figure provides an image showing morphological malformations of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval, 1833) caused by the present 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions are provided for the purpose of understanding the present subject matter and for construing the appended patent claims.

Definitions

Throughout the application, where compositions are described as having, including, or comprising specific components, or where processes are described as having, including, or comprising specific process steps, it is contemplated that compositions of the present teachings can also consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited components, and that the processes of the present teachings can also consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited process steps.

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the application, where an element or component is said to be included in and/or selected from a list of recited elements or components, it should be understood that the element or component can be any one of the recited elements or components, or the element or component can be selected from a group consisting of two or more of the recited elements or components. Further, it should be understood that elements and/or features of a composition or a method described herein can be combined in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings, whether explicit or implicit herein.

The use of the terms “include,” “includes”, “including,” “have,” “has,” or “having” should be generally understood as open-ended and non-limiting unless specifically stated otherwise.

The use of the singular herein includes the plural (and vice versa) unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, where the use of the term “about” is before a quantitative value, the present teachings also include the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise. As used herein, the term “about” refers to a ±10% variation from the nominal value unless otherwise indicated or inferred.

The term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art with respect to any chemical group containing one or more substituents that such groups are not intended to introduce any substitution or substitution patterns that are sterically impractical and/or physically non-feasible.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently described subject matter pertains.

Where a range of values is provided, for example, concentration ranges, percentage ranges, or ratio ranges, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the described subject matter. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges, and such embodiments are also encompassed within the described subject matter, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the described subject matter.

Throughout the application, descriptions of various embodiments use “comprising” language. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art, that in some specific instances, an embodiment can alternatively be described using the language “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of”.

For purposes of better understanding the present teachings and in no way limiting the scope of the teachings, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

The present subject matter relates to the synthesis of a unique pure insect growth regulator, as well as the regulator itself. The structure of this synthesized compound, which is related to the most well-known insect growth regulator insecticides, can be confirmed by elemental and contemporary spectroscopic investigations (IR, UV, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, and elemental analysis). The insecticidal efficacy of the chemically newly synthesized compound was checked against Spodoptera littoralis under laboratory conditions and compared with fenoxycarb as a reference insecticide. It has been found that the present compound has a LC₅₀=4.80 mg/l, whereas fenoxycarb has a LC₅₀=2.73 mg/l, indicating the insecticidal effectiveness of the present compound.

In an embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound having the formula I:

In certain embodiments, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol)compound can be obtained as a yellow powder. In further embodiments, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol)compound can have a melting point of about 219° C. to about 222° C.

In additional embodiments, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound is considered as an insect growth regulator (IGR). Accordingly, the present compound is capable of inhibiting the life cycle of an insect.

In another embodiment, the present subject matter relates to an insecticidally acceptable composition comprising an insecticidally effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound and an insecticidally acceptable carrier.

In some embodiments, the present compositions and methods of use can be used for combination treatment, where other insecticidal ingredients can be included therein, or can be co-administered therewith.

Non-limiting examples of suitable excipients, carriers, or vehicles useful herein include liquids such as water, saline, glycerol, polyethyleneglycol, hyaluronic acid, ethanol, and the like. Suitable excipients for nonliquid formulations are also known to those of skill in the art.

The present compounds are typically administered at an insecticidally effective dosage, e.g., a dosage sufficient to provide a desired activity against insects.

While insecticidal dosage levels have yet to be optimized for the present compounds, generally, each treatment of the present compositions could be expected to include from about 12.5 ppm to about 200 ppm, or mg/L, of the present compounds. In this regard, compositions having concentrations of the present compounds of about 200 ppm, about 100 ppm, about 50 ppm, about 25 ppm, or about 12.5 ppm, or mg/L, per application to a desired area of treatment are included within the present subject matter. The precise effective amount will vary from treatment to treatment and will depend upon the target area of application, the insect species being treated for, the number of insects present, and the like. The treatment area may be administered as many doses as is required to produce an effective treatment.

Liquid compositions can, for example, be prepared by dissolving, dispersing, etc. the active compound as defined above and optional adjuvants in a carrier, such as, for example, water, saline, aqueous dextrose, glycerol, glycols, ethanol, and the like, to thereby form a solution or suspension. If desired, the composition to be administered may also contain minor amounts of nontoxic auxiliary substances such as wetting agents, emulsifying agents, or solubilizing agents, pH buffering agents and the like, for example, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, cyclodextrine derivatives, sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine acetate, triethanolamine oleate, etc.

In a further embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of killing insects comprising applying to said insects or to a target site of insect infestation an insecticidally effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

In an embodiment, the present methods of killing insects can be effective against insects belonging to a species Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Further, the present compound can be considered as an insect growth regulator (IGR) that inhibits the life cycle of an insect, particularly Spodoptera littoralis. Accordingly, the present compound can be used as an insecticide to control populations of harmful insect pests, including, by way of non-limiting example, cockroaches and fleas.

Unlike classic insecticides, the present compound is unlikely to affect an insect's nervous system and is thus more friendly to “worker insects” within closed environments. The present compound can also be more compatible with pest management systems that use biological controls. In addition, while insects can become resistant to insecticides, they are less likely to become resistant to the present compound.

In another embodiment, in the present methods of killing insects, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound can have an LC₅₀ of about 4.801 ppm against the species Spodoptera littoralis after 72 hours of treatment. In this regard, in the present methods of killing insects, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound can have an LC₅₀ of about 4.801 ppm against 2^(nd) instars of larvae of the species Spodoptera littoralis after 72 hours of treatment.

Similarly, in the present methods of killing insects, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol)compound can have an LC₅₀ of about 57.622 ppm against the species Spodoptera littoralis after 72 hours of treatment. In this regard, in the present methods of killing insects, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound can have an LC₅₀ of about 57.622 ppm against 4^(th) instars of larvae of the species Spodoptera littoralis after 72 hours of treatment.

In a further embodiment of the present methods, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound can be applied to castor leaves.

In an additional embodiment of the present methods, about 12.5 to about 200 ppm of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol)compound can be applied to the insects or to the target site. In this regard, about 200 ppm, about 100 ppm, about 50 ppm, about 25 ppm, or about 12.5 ppm, or mg/L, per application of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound can be applied to a desired area of treatment.

In an additional embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of repelling insects comprising applying to a target site of insect infestation an insect repelling effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

In an embodiment, the present methods of repelling insects can be effective against insects belonging to a species Spodoptera littoralis or Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.).

In one more embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of controlling an insect pest comprising applying to a target site of insect infestation an insect controlling effective amount of the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

In an embodiment, the present methods of controlling insect pests can be effective against insects belonging to a species Spodoptera littoralis or Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.).

In a further embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a method of making the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound, the method comprising: treating 2-((2naphthyloxy)methyl)oxirane with hydrazine hydrate in a presence of triethylamine as a catalyst to obtain a crude product; and purifying the crude product by recrystallization using absolute ethyl alcohol to obtain the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound.

The present production methods can be further seen by referring to the following Scheme 1:

In an embodiment of the present production methods, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound can be obtained as a yellow powder.

In another embodiment of the present production methods, the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound can be obtained in an about 59% yield.

The following examples relate to various methods of manufacturing certain specific compounds and application results as described herein. All compound numbers expressed herein are with reference to the synthetic pathway figures shown above.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of 2-((2-naphthyloxy)methyl)oxirane

The target product, 2-((2-naphthyloxy)methyl)oxirane 2 was synthesized via the reaction of epichorohydrin with 2-naphthol in the presence of a suitable amount NaOH.

Example 2 Preparation of 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol)

The target product, 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) 10 was synthesized via treatment of the appropriate 2-((2naphthyloxy)methyl)oxiran 1a with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of triethylamine as a catalyst to obtain a crude product, which is then purified through recrystallization from the absolute ethyl alcohol to obtain the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) 10.

Characterization of the prepared compound using ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR analysis was conducted. The elemental analysis can be seen as follows.

3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) (10)

Yellow powder, 59% yield, melting point: 219-222° C. (KBr) IR: (OH, NH) at 3340, 3323, (C—H aromatic) at 3039, (C—H aliphatic) at 2924 cm⁻¹. ¹HNMR (DMSO-d₆): (s, 2H, 2NH) at δ9.71, (m, 28H, Ar—H) at δ7.18-7.81 (s, 2H, 20H) at δ5.11 (m, 2H, 2CH) at δ4.51. (m, 8H, 4CH2) at δ4.15. ¹³CNMR (DMSO-d₆): δ157.10, 134.76, 129.68, 127.92, 126.79, 123.95, 107.27, 71.35, 68.81, 53.24. Analysis Calculated/found C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄: C, 72.20/72.18; H, 6.53/6.52; N, 6.48/6.49.

Example 3 Insecticidal Bioassay Screening

Five concentrations (200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5 ppm) were designed for this synthetic compound and the reference fenoxycarb compound as the dynamic ingredients based on ppm via diluting the commercial formulation.

In this experiment, castor leaves were immersed in each of the previously prepared concentrations of the components for 10 seconds and then left to dry for 60 minutes. Larvae of the second and fourth instars of each checked strain were prepared with treated leaves in gauze-covered glass containers for 72 hrs. An untreated control was made in which leaves were dipped in triton x-100 and distilled water only. Then, the preserved leaves were removed & fresh, untreated leaves were provided for 72 hours. Three replicates (10 larvae each) were checked for each concentration. Daily inspection was carried out for all treatments and mortality percentages were recorded 3 days (72 hours) after treatment. The average mortality percentage was corrected employing Abbott's formula. The corrected mortality rate for each of the previously synthesized compounds was statistically calculated according to Finney (1970). Through this rate, the corresponding concentration test lines (LDP lines) were assessed. Fifty and ninety percent mortality was determined, and the regression values for the checked products were previously evaluated.

The results of the bioassay screening can be observed in Table 1, below.

Table 1. Insecticidal activity of 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) and Fenoxycarb against the 2^(nd) and 4^(th) larvae of S. littoralis after 72 h of treatment.

TABLE 1 Insecticidal activity of 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-naphthalen-2- yloxy)propan-2-ol) and Fenoxycarb against the 2^(nd) and 4^(th) larvae of S. littoralis ater 72 h of treatment. LC₅₀ Toxic LC₅₀ Toxic Compound (ppm) slope ± SE ratio^(a) (ppm) slope ± SE ratio^(a) Fenoxycarb 2.73  0.238 ± 0.082 100 43.231 0.251 ± 0.082  1 10 4.801 0.262 ± 0.079 56.8 57.622 0.213 ± 0.0799 75.0 Notes: ^(a)Toxicity ratio is estimated as fenoxycarb's LC₅₀ value for baseline toxicity/the compounds' LC₅₀ value × 100.

From this data, it can be concluded that the present compound is active against Spodoptera littoralis as it is close in activity to the reference insecticide, fenoxycarb. This is confirmed by referring to the sole Figure, showing the morphological malformations of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval, 1833) caused by administration of the present compound, 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol).

It is to be understood that the 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound, compositions containing the same, and methods of using and producing the same are not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter. 

We claim:
 1. A 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound having the formula I:


2. An insecticidally acceptable composition comprising an insecticidally effective amount of a 3,3′-(hydrazine-1,2-diyl)bis(1-(naphthalen-2-yloxy)propan-2-ol) compound having the formula I:

and an insecticidally acceptable carrier. 